Burn center reports injured plant workers listed in fair condition

BATON ROUGE, LA (WAFB) - The Baton Rouge General Burn Center reported the two patients it is caring for from the fire at a chemical plant in Geismar were both listed in fair condition as of early Friday morning.

"Baton Rouge General's hearts go out to the victims, families and friends associated with last night's tragic fire in Geismar," Nicole Kleinpeter, Baton Rouge General vice president, corporate communications, said in a written release. "At this time, our Regional Burn Center team located on the Mid City campus is focused on doing everything they can for our patients, and they remain in fair condition."

The names of the two people injured in the fire have not been released.

The Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office said the fire happened at the Renewable Energy Group off LA 30 in Geismar shortly after 6 p.m. Officials reported the fire was contained by 7:30 p.m.

APSO said Louisiana State Police is leading the investigation into what caused the fire. The plant is working to evaluate the damage.

Troopers said the fire is thought to be caused by a leaky valve or pump.

"Right now it looks like, from what we're being told, is that there was a seal in one of the hydraulic pumps that went out and ultimately caused the fire," said Lt. J.B. Slaton with Louisiana State Police.

REG released a new statement about the fire on Friday afternoon:

"The fire at the REG Geismar biorefinery that began shortly after 6pm last night was contained within a few hours and completely extinguished at approximately 11:00 pm. The two injured employees are in fair condition at Baton Rouge General Hospital and our thoughts and prayers go out to them and their families for a speedy recovery.

According to the company's website, the REG plant acquired the facility in 2014. It produces about 75 million gallons of renewable hydrocarbon diesel and renewable naphtha.